Back to some baseball talk....

by Damen Jackson on Feb 25, 2007 5:06 PM CST

I had a chance to settle in for a bit and peek through a few papers this morning, and stumbled onto an article of particular interest.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/272130,CST-SPT-cubnt25.article

Note, that some side comments appeared in the print version, and were not found online.
So many comments. So many questions. Not the least of which is .....Who the hell is Gordon Wittenmyer?

For someone I've never heard of, he dropped quite a few bombs. Among them, that the organization has not been counting on Wade Miller to perform this year, and that the feeling is that his fastball is not coming back. Ever. Furthermore, in identifying his expected 25 man roster, Miller was off it altogether. News to me, and I'm left to wonder that if the Cubs truly felt that way, why did they re-sign him to a 1 year deal?

It seems Mark Prior is back to throwing on flat ground. As a precautionary measure, of course. Now, I really think he'll be fine for most of the season, but until I see 5 consecutive starts from Mark, my blood pressure is going to continue to be artificially propped up.

And the dozey of them all? The projected Opening Day lineup for the Cubs. Care to guess what outfielder was sitting this one out?

And just as an aside, what is Felipe Lopez still doing on the Nationals roster? Anyone have an idea about Bowden's long-term plans for him and Austin Kearns? And for that matter, what it might take to pry the guy loose?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Wittenmyer...

... is the guy they hired to replace Mike Kiley. A quick google of his name shows a lot of St. Paul Pioneer Press links; he must have been a Twins beat writer before coming to Chicago.

Interesting indeed about Wade Miller. What this does is provide a space for Mark Prior if he's healthy, without anyone like Rich Hill having to worry about his slot.

Miller's contract, which is for relative peanuts in today's market, was a small risk. If he really doesn't have velocity any more, he could just be released.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al on Feb 25, 2007 5:05 PM CST 0 recs

The odd thing is..

that assuming Gordon is right, why wouldn't they have just walked away this winter. We had decent 5th starter options, and he makes for an awfully pricey middle reliever.

by Damen Jackson on Feb 25, 2007 5:08 PM CST up 0 recs

Well...

... maybe they really thought his velocity would come back over the offseason. That's not an unreasonable thing to think, given that he did throw decently in September.

It apparently didn't happen. Now, a pricey middle reliever? Hardly. Some middle relievers are making $5 million. Miller's contract isn't even half that.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al on Feb 25, 2007 5:12 PM CST up 0 recs

No..

I think it was 1.75 million, or something in that neighborhood. And incentives. But if that is the case, what do you do with a guy who can't hit 90 on the gun? Long-reliever. True middle relief. Maybe extended ST, and hope for the best. Hendry hates eating these type of contracts, so I don't think he'll just let him go.

by Damen Jackson on Feb 25, 2007 5:16 PM CST up 0 recs

You're right...

... about eating the contract. It'll probably wind up being extended ST, then, and maybe being assigned to Iowa, with the Cubs granting Miller the right to his release if another ML team wants him.

It's still not that much money, given that he's unlikely to reach the incentives.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al on Feb 25, 2007 5:18 PM CST up 0 recs

these things work themselves

out by performance on the field. Oftentimes, guys don't hit peak velocity until weeks 3-4 of ST. I like Miller's ability to throw curves and sliders and not be completely reliant upon a fastball. If he doesn't get the same velocity to his HOU days, maybe he can get some tilt and movement on his fastball and become a Jon Lieber-type which isn't bad for the back of the rotation.

My personal take--he doesn't make our rotation as I am bullish on Prior claiming his rightful spot. And Marquis will beat him out if for no other reason than being completley healthy.

by socalbob on Feb 25, 2007 5:21 PM CST up 0 recs

Wittenmeyer

As Al said, Wittenmeyer is the new Cubs beat writer. He began about two weeks ago after spending several years as the beat writer for the Twins with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, one of the two major papers in the Twin Cities. He also has written in Seattle, I believe when Piniella was the manager for the Mariners. I heard Wittenmeyer a week or so ago on Charley Steiner's Baseball Beat program on XM and Wittenmeyer seemed very candid. His having covered the Twins and a small market, small payroll team, I believe, will provide some interesting perspectives. It was clear that Wittenmeyer was lacking some knowledge of long term situations with the team seeing as how he hasn't been in Chicago or covering the Cubs over past seasons. He does seem like he'll be a good addition to the Sun Times.

DmL

by dmlichte on Feb 25, 2007 5:47 PM CST 0 recs

i'll wait to see more of

whittenmeyer before i decide what to think. interesting perspective from dmlichte, as i never heard of the guy before. god knows we need some fresh blood in the beat writing.

by TerryS on Feb 25, 2007 6:37 PM CST 0 recs

Except, of course...

... for Bruce Miles, who is the best Cubs beat writer around.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al on Feb 25, 2007 6:55 PM CST up 0 recs

And, as cwyers claims...

...the hardest working man in the business!

MCDONOUGH!

by secdelahc on Feb 25, 2007 7:43 PM CST up 0 recs

And I believe that to be true.

n/t

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al on Feb 25, 2007 7:46 PM CST up 0 recs

So um...

Bruce Miles man crush aside, what's the story with Ryan Freel?

by Damen Jackson on Feb 25, 2007 7:56 PM CST up 0 recs

LOL

Seriously, you're talking about Ryan Church, right? Because Ryan Freel is still on the Reds.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al on Feb 25, 2007 8:33 PM CST up 0 recs

Bad case of mid-term papers...

I'm actually thinking of Felipe Lopez.

by Damen Jackson on Feb 25, 2007 9:02 PM CST up 0 recs

He threw BP today

Prior threw BP today.

Does anyone have a timeline on what he did at what point last year. I think the only thing that he threw was up last spring.

For Cub fans spring training combines the eternal hope of spring with the irrational belief in the impossible.

by kerrysotherwife on Feb 26, 2007 12:22 AM CST 0 recs

Miller and Prior

I still hink Miller was worth taking a gamble on for this coming season.

On Prior I have a funny feeling we wont see him until mid to late April because they will bring him along slowly and they can skip the spot the first time or two through the rotation.

For Cub fans spring training combines the eternal hope of spring with the irrational belief in the impossible.

by kerrysotherwife on Feb 26, 2007 12:25 AM CST 0 recs